Malvern Prep's Rullo taking Neumann University job

It was going to take something special to convince Jim Rullo to leave Malvern Prep.

In Neumann University, he found it.

Malvern Prep announced Monday morning that Rullo, a 1989 graduate of the school, is stepping down from his post as head basketball coach to become the men’s basketball head coach and assistant athletic director at Neumann. After seven successful years at his alma mater, which included a pair of Inter-Ac championships, the allure of a college job was simply too much to ignore.

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“I think going through the interview process and the more and more I got exposed to the campus, I found it to be a unique place,” Rullo told the Daily Local News. “The opportunity is something I really wanted to pursue, and the more I got involved the more excited I became for the job.

“Leaving is bittersweet, but when you look at the opportunity Neumann presents, it kind of validates what I said before. Being able to leave Malvern Prep and being pulled away would take a very special place, and that’s what Neumann is.”

Rullo informed Malvern Prep of his decision last week.

“On behalf of the school I would like to thank Coach Rullo for his years of service and dedication to the philosophy and dedication to the mission of Malvern Prep,” athletic director Kurt Ruch said. “We wish him the best of luck and success in his new position.”

During his tenure at Malvern Prep, Rullo compiled an overall record of 135-67, including a 61-26 mark in Inter-Ac play and four seasons of 20 or more victories. The Friars won a pair of league titles in that time, and sent six players on to the Division I ranks.

Prior to coaching the Friars, Rullo spent a year as an assistant coach at Drexel University, where he is still the single-season record holder for free-throw percentage (.883 in the 1991-92 season). Rullo was a captain on the Dragons squad that finished 25-5 and played in the East Regional of the NCAA Tournament in 1994. Rullo also spent two seasons at Hobart College.

“We are excited to welcome Jim and his family to our Neumann University community,” Neumann University Director of Athletics and Recreation Chuck Sack said in a statement. “His prior experiences as college student-athlete and as a successful head coach make him a great fit for us institutionally.”

Rullo takes over for interim head coach Joe Rapczynski, who took the reins in February after Lenny Stanziano left the program. Stanziano, who compiled a 53-50 overall record at Neumann, was in his fourth year at the helm of the Knights. Rapczynski coached the final eight games of the season, which ended in a loss to Cabrini in the Colonial States Athletic Conference semifinals. The Knights graduate just one player from a squad that finished with an overall record of 13-14 and an 11-7 mark in conference play.

“I want to continue the success and building on what they currently have,” Rullo told the Daily Local News.

Rullo added that the move to Neumann made plenty of sense for his family as well.

“It’s only 15 or 20 minutes from our house...It gives us quality of life to where it works from all aspects for us,” Rullo said. “We’re extremely happy.”

Despite finishing 10-20 a year ago, Rullo believes the Malvern Prep program is in good hands. And even though leaving his alma mater was far from an easy decision, Rullo said he is proud of his seven years there.

“We played the toughest schedule around and we validated Malvern Prep as a basketball school,” Rullo said. We did it the right way also, with great kids, and it was a pleasure to reconnect with some people because I am a graduate of the school.

“I think especially as an alum, the one thing you really connect with are the kids and the experience,” Rullo continued. “I tried to challenge our kids to have pride on the floor. We were able to have some sustained success, and I’m really proud of the fact that we did it the right way.”

Now set to start all over, Rullo will take that experience with him to Neumann, and wherever his career may lead him.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of the college game, and it seemed like the right time to make this move,” Rullo said. “The more I met with the people at Neumann, the more it seemed like the right thing to do. The more I went through the process, the more I knew it was the right time to move to the college ranks. I am proud of the way we played at Malvern and I look back at the last seven years and I know we did it the right way.”